Hitting practice device

Abstract

A hitting practice device allows a batter to swing the bat, make contact with the device, and then to follow-through with the swing while maintaining contact with the device. In embodiments, the hitting practice device includes a pivoting base, a post connected to the base, a pad attached at the upper portion of the post, and a stopper that prevents the base from pivoting beyond a recovery angle. In other embodiments, the base includes a base plate and stabilization plate connected by a hinge. In embodiments, a pad and dampener absorb most of the initial impact of the hit, pausing the swing for analysis. The pivoting base then allows the batter to continue, follow-through and complete the swing.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A hitting practice device that facilitates practice of an initial contact and a follow-through of a hit, comprising:
 a pivoting base plate: 
 a hinge attached to the base plate and to a surface on which the base plate rests prior to the hit, wherein the base plate rotates about the hinge: 
 a post projecting upward from the pivoting base plate, the post having a padded upper portion; and 
 a dampener attached to the post, wherein the dampener absorbs at least a part of the initial contact of the hit aimed at the padded upper portion, and wherein at least a part of the pivoting base plate is configured to pivot relative to the surface on which the pivoting base plate rests, the pivot occurring during the follow-through of the hit. 
 
     
     
       2. The hitting practice device of  claim 1 , further comprising a stopper configured to prevent the post from pivoting beyond a recovery angle. 
     
     
       3. The hitting practice device of  claim 2 , wherein the stopper further comprises a stopper leg connected to the post and extending outward so as to prevent the base plate from pivoting beyond the recovery angle. 
     
     
       4. The hitting practice device of  claim 1 , further comprising a mock home plate that is configured to be repositionable relative to the post and operably coupled to the pivoting base plate. 
     
     
       5. The hitting practice device of  claim 4 , wherein the mock home plate is operably coupled to the pivoting base plate with at least one adjustable joint. 
     
     
       6. The hitting practice device of  claim 4 , wherein both the distance between the mock home plate and the pivoting base plate and the angle of the mock home plate relative to the pivoting base plate are selectively adjustable. 
     
     
       7. The hitting practice device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more weights attached to the base wherein the one or more weights resist a pivoting movement of the pivoting base plate. 
     
     
       8. The hitting practice device of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more weights are selectively detachable. 
     
     
       9. The hitting practice device of  claim 1 , wherein the padded upper portion is selectively detachable. 
     
     
       10. The hitting practice device of  claim 1 , wherein a bottom surface of the base plate rests on the surface prior to the hit, and the hinge is adjacent to a single edge of the bottom surface of the base plate. 
     
     
       11. A hitting practice device, comprising:
 a base plate connected to a supporting surface by at least one hinge, wherein the base plate is pivotable relative to the supporting surface about the at least one hinge and the hinge is attached along a single edge of the base plate; 
 a post connected to the base plate, wherein the post is substantially perpendicular to the base plate; and 
 a pad covering at least a part of the post. 
 
     
     
       12. The hitting practice device of  claim 11 , wherein the supporting surface is a stabilization plate. 
     
     
       13. The hitting practice device of  claim 12 , wherein the base plate is positioned on top of the stabilization plate when in an initial position and is configured to pivot away from the stabilization plate when the post is hit with a sufficient force. 
     
     
       14. The hitting practice device of  claim 12 , wherein the base plate is substantially coplanar with the stabilization plate when in an initial position and is configured to pivot toward the stabilization plate when the post is hit with a sufficient force. 
     
     
       15. The hitting practice device of  claim 11 , further comprising a stopper configured to prevent the base plate from pivoting beyond a recovery angle. 
     
     
       16. The hitting practice device of  claim 11 , further comprising a mock home plate that is configured to be repositionable relative to the post and operably coupled to the pivoting base plate. 
     
     
       17. The hitting practice device of  claim 11  further comprising a dampener configured to pause a batter's swing. 
     
     
       18. A hitting practice device, comprising:
 a base plate configured to pivot about a hinge and relative to a supporting surface; 
 a post connected to the base plate, wherein the post is substantially perpendicular to the base plate; and 
 a dampener configured to absorb at least a portion of a hit administered to the post. 
 
     
     
       19. A hitting practice device of  claim 18 , further comprising a resistance element configured to oppose pivoting of the base plate. 
     
     
       20. The hitting practice device of  claim 18 , wherein the hinge is attached to a single edge of the base plate and to the supporting surface, wherein movement of the hinge causes the base plate to pivot relative to the supporting surface.